My Three Complaints with the ATX

[bearkat4160]

I can assure you that Garrett will not change the location for the headphone jack. it is connected directly to the mother board and it aint moving locations either. I never even thought it was a problem...even efter reading some of these post here saying it is a problem. Still seems fine to me. I have been using the Garrett GTI 2500 for 15 years and the headphone jack was in pretty much the same location. No big deal to me.

Design flaws? I think it is just part the design that some of you do not like, is what it actually is.

BK

 

[bearkat4160]

Yes as far as the coil design it would be harder for the ATX to fold up if it was connected like a regular detector coil to shaft design.

BK

 

[bearkat4160]

Yep you nailed it Paul!

 

[SoCalBeachScanner]

I can assure you that Garrett will not change the location for the headphone jack. it is connected directly to the mother board and it aint moving locations either. I never even thought it was a problem...even efter reading some of these post here saying it is a problem. Still seems fine to me. I have been using the Garrett GTI 2500 for 15 years and the headphone jack was in pretty much the same location. No big deal to me.

Design flaws? I think it is just part the design that some of you do not like, is what it actually is.

BK

bearkat,

I started this thread with my concerns with the ATX in the environment that I will use it, along with observed impractical design features and weight.

I know it is what it is ... and it's a Recon built like a tank, weighs like a tank, and was made for the same outfit that pays $100 for a hammer which could be bought in a hardware store for $2.98, $600 toilet seat, and $3000 coffee maker. Government specs are a joke, early versions of unarmored Humvees used in the Iraq war that killed and wounded hundreds are proof of that. Government specs are more politics then practical equipment.

I realize the headphone jack can't be changed without a total redesign, but Garrett could make a 90-degree fitting without users having to modify them, that may cause warranty problems. Also, that headphone jack is not connected directly to a mother board. When my headphone jack broke, I looked in through the jack opening, the jack has wires behind it running to the control board. The coil could have had a quick connect for removal from the shaft, the coil could have been mounted to the shaft in a practical location, and you should not have to purchase a new shaft for a replacement DD coil or mono coil.

Sounds like you wouldn't change a thing with the ATX ... Hmm!

 

[WaterWalker]

You know one can get caught up in the moment. I had concerns about the ATX's audio connector. I feel really bad about thinking that it was such a horrible location but after spending 2 hours in 25 degree F air temp and 40 degree ocean water with my Infinium I came to realize that the connector is in the same location as the Infinium's! The reason it never registered with me is that the arm cuff extends beyond the control housing on the Infinium and it is flush with the ATX's housing. I mount the Infinium's control box on the shaft, under my arm. I have used the Infinium for over 5 years with only one failure, a bad cable connection inside the screw on connector. Not bad for over 1500 hours of use. I will be careful with the ATX and the Gray Ghost headphones, but I will not be paranoid about the connector any more.

I did not use the ATX today as I did not want to work with trying to rinse off the cam locks. It was bad enough dealing with the ice on the Infinium, goodies pouch (one solid ice cube), waders, and glove. The coffee tasted extra good after 2 hours in the water. I can hardly wait for the temp to get into the 30s on Thursday.

 

[SoCalBeachScanner]

-
Your absolutely right WaterWalker ... it's all about the Arm Cuff to protect the headphone connector on the Infinium.

Thinking about such things as the headphone connector location in the design process would hold down warranty costs and repairs and minimize potential problems.

 

[bearkat4160]

Haha...so much for your complaining, you figured out it is no big deal all by yourself. It is just sooooooooo easy to be negative...a bit harder to be positive.
The good news is Garrett is retooling their entire ATX design - production and assembly line to please SoCalBeachScanner for his complaining and whining.


[size=large]NOT![/size]

Bearkat

 

[SoCalBeachScanner]

Haha...so much for your complaining, you figured out it is no big deal all by yourself. It is just sooooooooo easy to be negative...a bit harder to be positive.
The good news is Garrett is retooling their entire ATX design - production and assembly line to please SoCalBeachScanner for his complaining and whining.


[size=large]NOT![/size]

Bearkat

Nothing ever get changed or improved without feedback. It's called being REAL.

Sugar coating helps no one Candyman

 

[Fishers Ghost]

I thought that the coils were produced as they are in order to facilitate rapid coil changes for the mine disposal lads. If a coil breaks or gets a bullet through it you don't want to be messing about wrapping cable around the shaft or bolting on a new coil. It is much faster to do the coil change the way the ATX is. It was after all designed to be a mine detector but has been adapted for general purpose use and gold field operation.

I imagine that Garrett are listening to your complaints and may incorporate some changes as a result. The coil cable connector is just asking to be brocken and maybe the coils could be altered to a more conventional design but for myself I like the ATX as she is and if I could afford one I would happily learn to live with it's minor weaknesses